US President Donald Trump formally received Greece’s new ambassador to Washington, Antonis Alexandridis, during a credentialing ceremony at the White House, marking the start of his official duties in Washington and reaffirming the enduring strength and strategic depth of the US-Greece relationship.
During the ceremony, Trump accepted the ambassador’s letters of credence and described the relationship between the United States and Greece as “powerful” and “historic,” rooted in a shared democratic and intellectual heritage.
He emphasized that bilateral ties are at their strongest point, reflecting close cooperation across defense, energy, trade, and regional security. The president also expressed his admiration for Greece, stated that he would like to visit the country, and conveyed warm regards to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
In his letter of acceptance, Trump noted Greece’s progress toward meeting NATO’s target of allocating 5 percent of GDP to defense and praised Athens for its leadership within NATO. He reiterated the principle that “peace comes through strength,” underscoring the importance of allied unity in an increasingly complex global environment.
Energy and economic cooperation featured prominently in the letter. Trump highlighted the expansion of US liquefied natural gas exports to Greece and the broader region, as well as strategic infrastructure initiatives such as the Vertical Corridor, describing them as significant contributions to regional energy security. He also pointed to opportunities for deeper collaboration in trade, investment, and job creation.
The president further expressed appreciation for Greece’s recent position at the International Maritime Organization regarding the Net Zero Framework, noting its potential implications for shipping, businesses, and global trade. He identified shipbuilding as an area of substantial future cooperation, including the revitalization of American shipyards and continued discussions on building American frigates in Greece.
Concluding the ceremony, Trump affirmed his administration’s commitment to working closely with the new ambassador to advance shared priorities and further strengthen the US-Greece strategic partnership.